A Marxian Split
Taking Action on Income Disparity, or Having a Little Fun with Bill Splitting
[Update 2: If you want to try a simple version in your browser, visit: http://marx.unhype.me/]
[Update 1: Of course this is Open Source, for the masses. Check it out at Github: https://github.com/esthor/marxian-split]
Income disparity is a real and growing threat to economic growth in many countries. (low consumption ability ≈ low demand). The battle is almost always fought through mass political organization. That is a noble fight, and I’m not knocking that effort at all. But, why not start it at the grassroots level?
Introducing, the Marxian Split Calculator!
Here’s the idea:
You are in a fun (or social warrior) mood. You are out with your friends (or oppressor) for food and/or drink…Then the bill comes. Instead of splitting it based on what each individual ordered, you split the total amount based on each person’s relative ability to pay (their relative income). [ProTip: This also has a faster real-world runtime once the number of items on the bill and/or level of payers’ inebriation is non-trivial.]
“Each according to their need receives, each according to their ability pays.”
If you enjoyed this or have any thoughts, let me know in the comments. I’m desperate for some acknowledgement.
